Network node and control method

Abstract

This network node comprises: a receiving unit that receives, from a source edge enabler server (EES), an edge application server (EAS) discovery request including a service indicator pertaining to communication service quality; a control unit that determines a target EAS candidate on the basis of the service indicator; and a transmission unit that transmits an EAS discovery response including the candidate to the source EES.

Description

Network node and control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a network node and a control method in a communication system.

[0002] 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is currently studying a wireless communication system called 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter, the wireless communication system will be referred to as "5G" or "NR") in order to achieve a larger system capacity, a higher data transmission speed, and a lower latency in wireless sections. Various wireless technologies are being studied for 5G to meet the requirements of achieving a throughput of 10 Gbps or more while keeping latency in wireless sections to 1 ms or less.

[0003] In NR, a network architecture including 5GC (5G Core Network) corresponding to EPC (Evolved Packet Core), which is the core network in the network architecture of LTE (Long Term Evolution), and NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) corresponding to E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), which is the RAN (Radio Access Network) in the network architecture of LTE, is being considered (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] Edge computing, which provides operator and third-party services at locations close to the UE access point, is also being considered, as it reduces end-to-end latency and reduces the load on the transport network, enabling efficient services. For example, for applications that require low latency, an operation is being considered in which edge computing functional units are configured in terminals and servers, and communication is enabled using a server located close to the terminal (e.g., Non-Patent Document 2).

[0005] 3GPP TS 23.501 V17.6.0 (2022-09) 3GPP TS 23.558 V18.1.0 (2022-12) 3GPP TR 23.700-98 V18.0.0 (2022-12)

[0006] When a user equipment (UE) moves, the application client (AC) on the user equipment changes its connection from the source Edge Application Server (EAS) to the target Edge Application Server (EAS) at the destination. If the target Edge Application Server does not provide the same quality of communication services as the source Edge Application Server (EAS), it may not be able to continue providing the same services.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to maintain the quality of communication services provided by edge computing when a terminal moves.

[0008] According to the disclosed technology, a network node is provided that has a receiving unit that receives an EAS (Edge Application Server) discovery request including a service indicator related to communication service quality from a source EES (Edge Enabler Server), a control unit that determines target EAS candidates based on the service indicator, and a transmitting unit that transmits an EAS discovery response including the candidates to the source EES.

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to maintain the quality of communication services provided by edge computing even when a terminal moves.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a communication system. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example (1) of edge computing. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example (2) of edge computing in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example (1) of edge computing in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example (2) of edge computing in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of a base station 10 and a network node 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a functional configuration of a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a hardware configuration of a base station 10 and a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0012] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, existing technology is used as appropriate. However, the existing technology is, for example, the existing LTE, but is not limited to the existing LTE. Furthermore, the term "LTE" used in this specification has a broad meaning including LTE-Advanced, and systems subsequent to LTE-Advanced (e.g., NR), or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), unless otherwise specified.

[0013] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" radio parameters and the like may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that radio parameters notified from the network node 30 or the terminal 20 are set.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system is composed of a UE, which is a terminal 20, and multiple network nodes 30. Hereinafter, it is assumed that one network node 30 corresponds to each function, but multiple functions may be realized by one network node 30, or multiple network nodes 30 may realize one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0015] The RAN (Radio Access Network) is a network node 30 having a radio access function, which may include a base station 10, and is connected to a UE, an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), and a UPF (User plane function). The AMF is a network node 30 having functions such as terminating the RAN interface, terminating the NAS (Non-Access Stratum), registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node 30 having functions such as a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session point to the outside that interconnects with a DN (Data Network), packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS (Quality of Service) handling. The UPF and the DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0016] The AMF is connected to the UE, RAN, SMF (Session Management function), NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function), NEF (Network Exposure Function), NRF (Network Repository Function), UDM (Unified Data Management), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), PCF (Policy Control Function), and AF (Application Function). The AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are mutually connected via interfaces based on their respective services, Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0017] The SMF is a network node 30 having functions such as session management, UE IP (Internet Protocol) address allocation and management, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) proxy, and roaming function. The NEF is a network node 30 having a function of notifying other NFs (Network Functions) of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node 30 having functions such as selecting a network slice to which a UE connects, determining an allowed NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), determining an NSSAI to be set, and determining an AMF set to which a UE connects. The PCF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling network policies. The AF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling application servers. The NRF is a network node 30 having a function of discovering NF instances that provide services. The UDM is a network node 30 that manages subscriber data and authentication data. The UDM is connected to a UDR (User Data Repository) that stores the data.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. As shown in Fig. 2, the network is composed of a UE, which is a terminal 20, and multiple network nodes 30. Hereinafter, it is assumed that one network node 30 corresponds to each function, but multiple functions may be realized by one network node 30, or multiple network nodes 30 may realize one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0019] The RAN is a network node 30 having a radio access function, and is connected to the UE, the AMF, and the UPF. The AMF is a network node 30 having functions such as RAN interface termination, NAS termination, registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node 30 having functions such as a PDU session point to the outside that interconnects with the DN, packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS handling. The UPF and the DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network according to the embodiment of the present invention, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0020] The AMF is connected to the UE, RAN, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, AF, and SEPP (Security Edge Protection Proxy). The AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes 30 that are interconnected via respective service-based interfaces, Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0021] The SMF is a network node 30 having functions such as session management, UE IP address allocation and management, DHCP function, ARP proxy, and roaming function. The NEF is a network node 30 having a function of notifying other NFs of capabilities and events. The NSSF is a network node 30 having functions such as selecting a network slice to which a UE connects, determining an allowed NSSAI, determining a configured NSSAI, and determining an AMF set to which a UE connects. The PCF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling network policies. The AF is a network node 30 having a function of controlling application servers. The NRF is a network node 30 having a function of discovering NF instances that provide services. The SEPP is a non-transparent proxy that filters control plane messages between PLMNs (Public Land Mobile Networks). The vSEPP shown in FIG. 2 is a SEPP in the visited network, and the hSEPP is a SEPP in the home network.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, a UE is in a roaming environment connected to a RAN and an AMF in a Visited PLMN (VPLMN). The VPLMN and a Home PLMN (HPLMN) are connected via a vSEPP and an hSEPP. The UE can communicate with a UDM in the HPLMN via the AMF in the VPLMN, for example.

[0023] Edge computing, which provides operator and third-party services at locations close to the UE access point, is also being considered, as it reduces end-to-end latency and reduces the load on the transport network, enabling efficient services. For example, for applications that require low latency, an operation is being considered in which edge computing functional units are configured in terminals and servers, and communication is enabled using a server located close to the terminal (e.g., Non-Patent Document 2).

[0024] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example (1) of edge computing. As shown in FIG. 3, application communication is performed between an edge application server (EAS) and an application client (AC), and an edge enabler server (EES) and an edge enabler client (EEC) perform operations for connecting to an edge data network (EDN). Here, the EAS may be referred to as a program providing device or the like, and the EES may be referred to as a function executing device or the like.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the UE may be connected to an edge data network and an edge configuration server (ECS) via a core network.

[0026] The reference points EDGE-n in the architecture enabling edge applications shown in FIG. 3 are as follows (see Non-Patent Document 2). EDGE-1: Enables interoperability between EES and EEC. Registers and deregisters EEC to EES. Also searches and acquires EAS configuration information. Also discovers available EAS in the EDN. Executes service continuity procedures, such as initiating ACR (Application Context Relocation). EDGE-2: Enables interoperability between EES and APIs to retrieve core network functions and network capability information. Supports access via SCEF (Service Capability Exposure Function) and NEF APIs, or direct access to core network functions from EES located in the MNO (Mobile Network Operator) trust domain. EDGE-3: Enables interoperability between EES and EAS. Supports EAS registration with availability information. Availability information includes, for example, time constraints, location constraints, etc. Also, it deregisters the EAS from the EES. Also, it discovers the target EAS to support ACT (Application Context Transfer). Also, it provides access to network capability information such as location information. Also, it requests the establishment of a data session between the AC and EAS to which a specific QoS is applied, and obtains information related to that QoS. Also, it supports service continuity procedures such as ACR status. EDGE-4: Enables interoperability between the ECS and the EEC. It provides edge configuration information to the EEC. EDGE-5: Enables interoperability between the AC and the EEC. EDGE-6: Enables interoperability between the ECS and the EES. It registers EES information to the ECS. It deregisters EES information from the ECS. It also retrieves target EES information from the ECS. EDGE-7: Enables interoperability between the EAS and core network functions and APIs that retrieve network capability information.Supports access via SCEF and NEF APIs or direct access to core network functions from an EAS located within the MNO trust domain. EDGE-8: Enables interoperability between the ECS and APIs to retrieve core network functions and network capability information. Supports access via SCEF and NEF APIs or direct access to core network functions from an ECS located within the MNO trust domain. EDGE-9 enables interoperability between EESs. Two EESs connected by EDGE-9 may be in different EDNs or the same EDN. It discovers target EAS information to support ACR. It also supports EEC context relocation procedures. It also transparently transfers application context in ACRs managed by the EEL (Edge Enabler layer).

[0027] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example (2) of edge computing. As shown in Fig. 4, when a terminal (UE) moves, an application client (AC) on the terminal changes its connection from the EAS to which it was connected before the move (this EAS is called a source EAS) to another EAS closer to the destination (this other EAS is called a target EAS).

[0028] Here, when the terminal moves as shown in Figure 4, if the target EAS does not ensure the same communication service quality as the source EAS, it may not be possible to continue providing the same communication service quality.

[0029] Example 1: Example 1 will be described. In Example 1, before a terminal transfers from a source EAS to a target EAS, the communication service quality of the destination is confirmed in advance, and then a target EAS candidate is determined. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example (1) of edge computing in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S100a, the source EAS transmits an EAS discovery filter, which is information required to request discovery of the target EAS, to the source EES. Alternatively, in step S100b, the EEC in the UE may transmit the EAS discovery filter to the source EES. Here, the EAS discovery filter includes an AC (Application Client) profile, which is information including service indicators (Service KPIs) related to communication service quality. Service indicators related to communication service quality may include, for example, network slice load performance related to network communication conditions, as well as QoS flow performance, QoE performance, and edge load performance.

[0030] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an AC Profile according to an embodiment of the present invention. The AC Profile shown in Fig. 6 includes a service index (Expected AC Service KPI) that the AC expects from the EAS and a service index (Minimum required AC Service KPI) that the AC requires at least.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an AC Service KPI according to an embodiment of the present invention. The AC Service KPI shown in Fig. 7 may include edge load performance as a service index used for the Expected AC Service KPI and Minimum required AC Service KPI shown in Fig. 6. Returning to Fig. 5, the following description will be given.

[0032] Next, in step S101, the source EES performs EAS discovery by sending an EAS discovery request including an EAS discovery filter to the target EES.

[0033] Finally, in step S102, the target EES checks whether there is a target EAS that satisfies the service indicators related to the communication service quality based on the AC profile included in the EAS discovery request. To this end, the target EES requests and acquires information about the service indicators related to the communication service quality from network nodes such as the NWDAF, NSCE, ADAES, and OAM, or from services such as MEC platform services. Based on the acquired information, the target EES determines candidate target EASs as destinations that satisfy the service indicators related to the communication service quality.

[0034] The source EES and the target EES may be in different edge networks (EDNs), or may be in the same EDN, or may be functions within the same device.

[0035] Example 1 (Sequence Diagram) Example 1 will be described using a sequence diagram. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example (2) of edge computing according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing of each step will be described below.

[0036] Step S150: The target EES establishes a state in which it can communicate with the NWDAF, NSCE, ADAES, OAM, etc. to collect edge load performance.

[0037] Step S151: The source EAS sends an EAS discovery request to the source EES. As described in FIG. 5, the EAS discovery filter included in the EAS discovery request includes an AC profile including service KPIs related to communication service quality. Furthermore, the AC profile may include some or all of the service KPIs related to the network communication status, such as network slice load performance, QoS flow performance, QoE performance, and edge load performance.

[0038] Step S152: The source EES determines whether to execute ACR.

[0039] Step S153: When performing ACR, the source EES obtains the information of the target EES from the ECS.

[0040] Step S154: The source EES sends an EAS discovery request to the target EES.

[0041] Step S155: The target EES determines whether the AC profile included in the EAS discovery request includes a service indicator related to the communication service quality, and if so, executes the next step S156. If not, executes step S159 to transmit an EAS discovery response based on a conventional procedure.

[0042] Step S156: The target EES transmits request information to a network node, such as an NWDAF, an NSCE, an ADAES, or an OAM, to acquire information about the service indicators of the communication service quality included in the EAS discovery request received in step S155. Here, the request information includes network slice information for identifying the network slice of the target EAS, which is the destination of the movement. The network slice information may be Single-Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) indicating the target EES's own network slice, or information identifying multiple network slices corresponding to the target EAS. Alternatively, the network node that received the request information may request information from another network node. Alternatively, the information request destination may be a service, such as MEC platform services.

[0043] Step S157: The network node that has received the request information in step S156 transmits the response statistical information and response prediction information, which are information relating to the service indicators of the communication service quality included in the request information, to the target EES as a response to the request information.

[0044] Step S158: The target EES determines, based on the response information received in step S157, an EAS that satisfies the service index related to the communication service quality as a candidate for the target EAS to be the destination of the movement. For example, if the service index related to the requested communication service quality is network slice load performance, the target EES determines, as a candidate for the target EAS to be the destination of the movement, an EAS in a network slice whose network load in the specified network slice satisfies the conditions of the service index.

[0045] Step S159: The target EES sends an EAS discovery response including the target EAS candidates determined in step S158 to the source EES.

[0046] Step S160: The source EES sends an EAS discovery response including candidate target EASs to the source EAS.

[0047] <Details of service indicators related to communication service quality> In steps S156 to S157 of FIG. 8, the items of information related to the service indicators of communication service quality (Network slice load performance, QoS flow performance, QoE performance, and Edge load performance) acquired by the target EES, and the external network node or service from which the information is acquired (requested) will be described.

[0048] The Network slice load performance item includes the Load level of Network slice instance, which is obtained from NWDAF and NSCE.

[0049] The QoS flow performance items include QoS flow Bit Rate, QoS flow Packet delay, and QoS flow Retainability. QoS flow Bit Rate and QoS flow Packet delay are obtained from NWDAF and ADAES. QoS flow Retainability is obtained from OAM.

[0050] The QoE performance section includes QoE metrics, which are obtained from NWDAF and ADAES.

[0051] Edge load performance items include Edge load (computational resource load per EAS / EES and number of connections per EES / EAS), DN performance, UPF load analytics per DNAI, N6 load / SEALDD server load, and Per cell radio conditions / load for all cells within EDN coverage. Edge load is obtained from OAM and EAS / ASP. DN performance is obtained from NWDAF and ADAES. UPF load analytics per DNAI is obtained from OAM / MDAS and ADAES. SEALDD server and N6 endpoint are obtained from SEALDD server, N6 endpoint, and ADAES. Per cell radio conditions / load for all cells within EDN coverage is obtained from MEC platform services (e.g., RNIS) and ADAES.

[0052] The network nodes and services from which information is obtained (requested) will be described below.

[0053] The NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function) has the function of collecting and analyzing various 5GC data (load level information, service experience, NF load information, etc.).

[0054] OAM (Operation, Administration and Maintenance) has the function of maintaining and managing operations in a network.

[0055] The Management Domain Analytics Service (MDAS) has the ability to provide data analysis of various network-related parameters, such as load levels and / or resource utilization.

[0056] NSCE (Network Slice Capability Enablement) provides functionality for efficiently publishing network slice capabilities.

[0057] ADAES (Application Data Analytics Enabler Server) has functions for application analysis service investigation, edge / cloud analytics, and data collection for each specific application data analytics service to optimize the operation of application services. SEALDD (Service Enabler Architecture Layer - Data Delivery) has functions to efficiently support the storage and delivery of vertical application context / data. ASP (Application service provider) is an application provider. It provides AC and EAS.

[0058] An example of MEC platform services is RNIS (Radio Network Information Service). RNSI is a service that provides information related to the radio network to the MEC application and the MEC platform. Here, the radio network can be requested at a granularity such as per cell or per user device. The provided information includes, for example, information on the state of the radio network, 3GPP user plane measurement information, information on UEs connected to radio nodes related to the MEC host, UE context, and related radio access bearer information.

[0059] According to the above-described embodiment, when a terminal moves, an EAS that satisfies the service index related to the communication service quality at the destination is determined as a candidate EAS for the destination. In other words, the communication service quality provided by edge computing can be maintained even when the terminal moves.

[0060] (Device Configuration) Next, a description will be given of an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 that perform the processes and operations described above. The base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 include functions for performing the above-described embodiments. However, the base station 10, network node 30, and terminal 20 may each be equipped with only a portion of the functions of the embodiments. The network node 30 may correspond to the above-described AC, EEC, EDN, EAS, EES, ECS, and core network.

[0061] <Base Station 10 and Network Node 30> Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 and the network node 30. As shown in Fig. 9, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 9 is merely an example. As long as the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed, the names of the functional divisions and functional units may be any. Note that the network node 30 may have the same functional configuration as the base station 10. Furthermore, a network node 30 having multiple different functions in the system architecture may be composed of multiple network nodes 30 separated by function.

[0062] The transmitter 110 includes a function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 or another network node 30 and transmitting the signal by wire or wirelessly. The receiver 120 includes a function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 or another network node 30 and acquiring, for example, information of a higher layer from the received signal. A communication unit including the transmitter 110 and the receiver 120 may be configured.

[0063] The setting unit 130 stores preset setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in a storage device, and reads the information from the storage device as needed. The contents of the setting information include, for example, information related to network slice load performance, service quality flow performance, and quality of experience performance.

[0064] As described in the embodiment, the control unit 140 performs processing such as determining candidates for a target EAS that satisfy a service index related to communication service quality. The control unit 140 also performs processing related to communication with the terminal 20. A functional unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmitting unit 110, and a functional unit related to signal reception in the control unit 140 may be included in the receiving unit 120.

[0065] <Terminal 20> Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 10, the terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 10 is merely an example. As long as the operations related to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed, the names of the functional divisions and functional units may be any. In addition, the communication device that becomes the resource holder may have the same functional configuration as the terminal 20.

[0066] The transmitter 210 creates a transmission signal from transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiver 220 receives various signals wirelessly and acquires higher layer signals from the received physical layer signals. The receiver 220 also has a function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals, reference signals, and the like transmitted from the network node 30. A communication unit including the transmitter 210 and the receiver 220 may be configured.

[0067] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the network node 30 by the receiving unit 220 in a storage device and reads it from the storage device as needed. The setting unit 230 also stores pre-set setting information. The setting information includes, for example, information related to network slice load performance, quality of service flow performance, and quality of experience performance.

[0068] As described in the embodiments, the control unit 240 performs processing related to the transmission of information related to network slice load performance, service quality flow performance, and quality of experience performance. A functional unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmitting unit 210, and a functional unit related to signal reception in the control unit 240 may be included in the receiving unit 220.

[0069] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (FIGS. 9 and 10) used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0070] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0071] For example, the network node 30, the terminal 20, etc. according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node 30 may have the same hardware configuration as the base station 10. The above-described base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0072] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0073] Each function in the base station 10 and the terminal 20 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001, the memory device 1002, etc., so that the processor 1001 performs calculations, controls communication by the communication device 1004, and controls at least one of reading and writing data in the memory device 1002 and the auxiliary memory device 1003.

[0074] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned control unit 140, control unit 240, etc. may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0075] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with the programs. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in FIG. 9 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and running on the processor 1001. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in FIG. 10 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and running on the processor 1001. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0076] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] The secondary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of the storage device 1002 and the secondary storage device 1003.

[0078] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, a transmission / reception antenna, an amplifier unit, a transmission / reception unit, a transmission path interface, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004. The transmission / reception unit may be implemented as a transmission unit and a reception unit that are physically or logically separated.

[0079] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0080] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0081] Furthermore, the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0082] Fig. 12 shows an example configuration of a vehicle 2001. As shown in Fig. 12, the vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on the vehicle 2001, and may be applied to the communication module 2013, for example.

[0083] The drive unit 2002 is configured, for example, by an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel operated by the user.

[0084] The electronic control unit 2010 is composed of a microprocessor 2031, a memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals are input to the electronic control unit 2010 from various sensors 2021 to 2029 provided in the vehicle 2001. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0085] The signals from the various sensors 2021 to 2029 include a current signal from a current sensor 2021 that senses the current of the motor, a rotation speed signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by a rotation speed sensor 2022, an air pressure signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by an air pressure sensor 2023, a vehicle speed signal obtained by a vehicle speed sensor 2024, an acceleration signal obtained by an acceleration sensor 2025, an accelerator pedal depression amount signal obtained by an accelerator pedal sensor 2029, a brake pedal depression amount signal obtained by a brake pedal sensor 2026, a shift lever operation signal obtained by a shift lever sensor 2027, and a detection signal for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. obtained by an object detection sensor 2028.

[0086] The information service unit 2012 is composed of various devices, such as a car navigation system, an audio system, speakers, a television, and a radio, for providing (outputting) various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs for controlling these devices. The information service unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via the communication module 2013 or the like to provide various types of multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, a touch panel, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and may also include output devices (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, a touch panel, etc.) that output information to the outside.

[0087] The driving assistance system unit 2030 is composed of various devices that provide functions for preventing accidents and reducing the driving burden on the driver, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS, etc.), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. In addition, the driving assistance system unit 2030 transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize the driving assistance function or the autonomous driving function.

[0088] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via the communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 transmits and receives data via the communication port 2033 to and from the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021 to 29, which are provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0089] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with an external device. For example, it transmits and receives various information to and from the external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station, a mobile station, or the like.

[0090] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of signals from the above-mentioned various sensors 2021-2028 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on the signals, and information based on input from the outside (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012 to an external device via wireless communication. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2028, the information service unit 2012, etc. may be referred to as input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include information based on the above-mentioned input.

[0091] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle-to-vehicle information, etc.) transmitted from external devices and displays it on an information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may be called an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to a device such as a display or speaker based on the PDSCH (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH) received by the communication module 2013). The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from external devices in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021 to 2029, etc. provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0092] (Summary of the embodiment) As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a network node having a receiving unit that receives an EAS (Edge Application Server) discovery request including a service indicator related to communication service quality from a source EES (Edge Enabler Server), a control unit that determines target EAS candidates based on the service indicator, and a transmitting unit that transmits an EAS discovery response including the candidates to the source EES.

[0093] With the above configuration, it is possible to maintain the quality of communication services provided by edge computing even when the terminal moves.

[0094] The transmitting unit transmits request information to another network node requesting information on the service index used by the control unit to determine the candidate, and the receiving unit receives response statistical information or response prediction information in response to the request information from the other network node. With this configuration, it is possible to maintain the quality of communication services provided by edge computing even when the terminal moves.

[0095] The control unit determines the candidate that satisfies the service index based on the response statistical information or the response prediction information. With this configuration, it is possible to maintain the quality of communication service provided by edge computing even when the terminal moves.

[0096] The EAS discovery request includes the service indicators related to at least one of network slice load performance, quality of service flow performance, quality of experience performance, and edge load performance. This configuration allows the communication service quality provided by edge computing to be maintained when the terminal moves.

[0097] The source EES includes the service indicator received from the source EAS in the EAS discovery request. This configuration makes it possible to maintain the communication service quality provided by edge computing when the terminal moves.

[0098] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method in which a network node executes the following steps: receiving an EAS (Edge Application Server) discovery request including a service indicator related to communication service quality from a source EES (Edge Enabler Server); determining target EAS candidates based on the service indicator; and transmitting an EAS discovery response including the candidates to the source EES.

[0099] With the above configuration, it is possible to maintain the quality of communication services provided by edge computing even when the terminal moves.

[0100] (Supplementary Notes on the Embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, and substitutions. While specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention; matters described in two or more items may be used in combination as needed, and matters described in one item may apply to matters described in another item (as long as there is no contradiction). Boundaries between functional units or processing units in functional block diagrams do not necessarily correspond to boundaries between physical components. The operations of multiple functional units may be performed by a single physical component, or the operations of a single functional unit may be performed by multiple physical components. The order of processing steps described in the embodiments may be reversed as long as there is no contradiction. For convenience of processing description, the base station 10 and terminal 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may each be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or any other suitable storage medium.

[0101] Furthermore, the notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure, and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling), broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0102] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be implemented using any of the following standards: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal number)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.34 ( The present invention may be applied to at least one of systems using 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these systems. The present invention may also be applied to a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of LTE and / or LTE-A with 5G).

[0103] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be rearranged unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0104] In this specification, a specific operation described as being performed by the base station 10 may be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having the base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 may be performed by at least one of the base station 10 and another network node other than the base station 10 (such as, but not limited to, an MME or an S-GW). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (such as an MME and an S-GW).

[0105] The information, signals, etc. described in the present disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer), or may be input / output via multiple network nodes.

[0106] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0107] In the present disclosure, the determination may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0108] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0109] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0110] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0111] Note that terms described in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0112] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0113] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0114] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0115] In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "base station device," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. A base station may also be referred to by terms such as a macrocell, a small cell, a femtocell, and a picocell.

[0116] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the overall coverage area of ​​the base station can be partitioned into multiple smaller areas, and each smaller area can also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (RRH: Remote Radio Head)). The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication services within that coverage.

[0117] In the present disclosure, the base station transmitting information to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to control or operate based on the information.

[0118] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0119] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0120] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object itself, etc. The mobile object refers to a movable object, and may move at any speed. Naturally, this also includes cases where the mobile object is stationary. Examples of the mobile object include, but are not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcars, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and objects mounted thereon. The mobile object may also be a mobile object that moves autonomously based on an operational command. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile object (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0121] Furthermore, a base station in the present disclosure may be read as a user terminal. For example, the aspects / embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D) or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)). In this case, the terminal 20 may be configured to have the functions of the base station 10 described above. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as an uplink channel and a downlink channel may be read as a side channel.

[0122] Similarly, the user terminal in the present disclosure may be read as a base station, in which case the base station may be configured to have the functions of the user terminal described above.

[0123] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0124] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0125] The reference signal may be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal) or may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0126] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0127] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0128] The "means" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0129] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0130] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0131] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0132] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0133] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0134] This patent application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-032526 filed on March 3, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0135] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Base station 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting unit 140 Controller 20 Terminal 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting unit 240 Controller 30 Network node 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device

Claims

1. A transmitter that transmits request information requesting information on edge load performance in service indicators of an application client to another network node; a receiving unit that receives information about the edge load performance including statistical information or predicted information from the other network node as a response to the request information; a control unit that determines candidates for a target Edge Application Server (EAS) whose edge load performance satisfies the service index; A network node having:

2. The other network node is an ADAES (Application Data Analytics Enabler Server). The network node of claim 1 .

3. The control unit determines the candidate target EAS by determining whether the computing resources specified in the service index are satisfied based on information about the edge load performance. The network node of claim 1 .

4. A step of sending request information to another network node requesting information about edge load performance in service metrics of an application client; receiving information about the edge load performance, including statistical information or forecast information, from the other network nodes in response to the request information; determining a candidate target Edge Application Server (EAS) whose edge load performance satisfies the service index; A control method executed by a network node having the above-mentioned steps.